Hawaii coach June Jones is resigning from his position as coach of the Warriors.
Jones is leaving because of "a lack of loyalty and commitment from athletic department leaders," among other things, according to the report. The Warriors were 12-1 this season, their only loss coming to Georgia in the Sugar Bowl.
Jones, who was 75-41 at Hawaii, en route to Dallas to discuss the SMU job, according to the Advertiser. His Hawaii contract was set to expire on June 30. <{P>Jones' agent, Leigh Steinberg, said SMU had made an offer and Jones had received a counteroffer from Hawaii. Steinberg did not discuss specifics, but said Jones also was considering an NFL job.
National reports have said SMU has offered Jones up to $2 million a year. He receives $800,000 a year from Hawaii under a five-year contract that expires June 30.
Jones, the winningest coach in Hawaii history over his nine seasons, said he met with University of Hawaii president David McClain on Thursday and with athletic director Herman Frazier on Friday.
Jones' Warriors were the nation's only undefeated college team this season before they lost to Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. Before the loss, Hawaii had won 22 of its previous 23 games and 13 straight, the longest streak in major college football.
In his first season at Hawaii, Jones took over an 0-12 team and directed the biggest turnaround in college football history, going 9-4 in 1999 and taking Hawaii to its first bowl game since 1992.
SMU announced Oct. 28 that head coach Phil Bennett would step down when the season ended.
Jones, 54, was accompanied by Hawaii defensive coordinator Greg McMackin, a former Texas Tech coordinator, according to a report on the Dallas Morning News website.
Jones received permission from Hawaii to explore options before Christmas.
SMU athletic director Steve Orsini has said he wants the school's next coach to demonstrate the school is serious about winning again. The Mustangs were 1-11 this season and have had only two non-losing seasons since 1989.
Courtesy: Sportingnews.com
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4 comments:
Coach Please Stay In Hawaii
I enjoy KUMU so much more than the "Hermie" station. This is such a hot topic that I am hoping you guys have a longer show on Monday. Again keep up the good work.
P.S. Uncle Jim, I am praying.
Amen, me too. It's alittle too late? We saw this coming and no one offered JJ a contract. So inept! LL should not be voted for another term. She is the overseer of all things in Hawaii. Where is she anyway? Not available for comment? All hiding from the media and fans, as why hard.
cbssportsline reported that John L. Smith wants to interview to be the next head coach. Those of you who don't remember, JLS was the Michigan St. coach who was making crybaby when they lost to us in 1994 (not sure on the year, but Owens senior year).
All I can say is I take Vonappen back before that guy!
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